Agenda and minutes

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at the meeting.

Due to technical difficulties this meeting was not Webcast.

Apologies for absence were received from the following:

Councillor Gina Adamou

Councillor Karen Alexander             -Councillor Davies substituted.

Ms Felicity Kally (Parent Governor)

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 14 below).

No items of Urgent Business were raised.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

Declarations of interest were made by the following:

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, paragraph 29 of the Council’s constitution.

None were received.  

Briefing from Councillor Charles Adje, Cabinet Member for Resources

The Committee received written answers to questions put to the Cabinet Members for Resources prior to the meeting.

The questions and answers supplied are attached in full at Appendix 1.

The Chair noted that a new process for submitting questions had been introduced and requested that Members of the Committee only put supplementary questions to the Cabinet Member for Resources.

Question 1

The Cabinet Member agreed to keep the Committee informed of any variations to savings during the year.

Question 8

It was agreed that a list of the campaigns aimed at increasing Benefit take up should be circulated to the Committee.

Question 14

Concern was raised in relation to plans for the Hornsey Depot site and progression in relation to these.

It was agreed that the Committee should be advised when a report, setting out options for alternative sites for recycling facility currently situated in Hornsey, would be available.

Question 16

It was recognised that Fuel Poverty affected residents across the whole of the Borough and suggested that there should be a campaign to promote the benefits available to assist those in need.  

Question 17

There was agreement that there should be an audit of the small pieces of land within the Borough.

Question 18

The Committee discussed the reserves that would be built up over the next two years and was advised by the Cabinet Member that it was recognised best practice for Councils to have a reserve of at least £10M. 

The Committee discussed the decision to move the Council’s bank account and in response to a query as to whether consideration had been given to the Bank’s ethical policies when it was selected, the Committee was advised that this was built into the selection process.

It was requested that information should be supplied to the Committee around the criteria used to ensure that Bank used by the Council employed ethical policies.

RESOLVED:

1. That the answers supplied in relation to Members questions be noted.

2. That, where further information had been requested by the Committee, this should be supplied.

To receive an update on Mental Health services in Haringey.

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the provision of Mental Health Services in the Borough. A presentation was also given by key members of the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEH MHT), the Council and Primary Care Trust (PCT), responsible for providing Mental Health Services.

Following the presentation the Board was addressed by a Service User, ??.

The Chair thanked ?? for his presentation and noted that it was particularly useful for the Committee to obtain views from Service Users.

The Chair requested that the Board should be kept informed of developments in relation to the St Ann’s site and the consultation process with the public and Service Users.

There was agreement that providing a well coordinated approach was key to improving the provision of services and it was noted that work was being carried out at present to achieve this.

In response to issues raised by Councillor Aitken the Board was advised that the MHT and PCT intended participate in the upcoming Scrutiny Review. The first meeting, being held on 2 September would be used to launch the public consultation exercise in relation to the closure of Finsbury Ward.

It was requested that details of the case referred to by Councillor Aitken should be passed on to the PCT for follow up.

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To consider and comment on proposals by Haringey Learning Disabilities Partnership.

The Committee received a report that set out proposals from the Learning Disabilities Partnership in relation to changes to the Services currently provided for adults with learning disabilities.

It was proposed that a model of enhanced support should be developed that would enable people to remain in their local community and minimise the need for hospital based provision.

The Committee was reminded that there was a statutory requirement upon the NHS to consult with the public and patients and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on ‘substantial developments’ to Services. However, the Partnership did not consider that the proposals constituted a substantial variation and therefore the Committee did not have the right of referral, which was within its gift when a substantial variation was proposed.

The Committee was advised that the new model would provide additional services such as psychology, occupational therapy and community nursing. Five additional rehabilitation and respite services would also be provided as part of the new model.

Concern was expressed at the proposed closure of Mulberry House and it was contended that the proposals formed a substantial variation to Services.

The Committee was reminded that the closure of Mulberry House formed one element of the overall package of proposals. Given that the building did not have the appropriate facilities required it was considered that it was appropriate, as part of the overall package of proposals, to close this facility. It was noted that the new model had been driven by clinical need and the type of services delivered by Mulberry House were not found in other Boroughs.

In response to concerns raised with the future of current residents of Mulberry House, the Committee was advised that ‘Move On’ Plans were in place for each resident and their needs would be assessed on a clinical basis and addressed appropriately.

The Chair noted that there would be a separate Overview and Scrutiny meeting where the redevelopment of the St Ann’s site would be discussed. There would be an opportunity for members of the public to participate in discussion at this meeting.

The Committee discussed the proposals further and concern was raised that the Committee had not been made aware of plans to close Mulberry House prior to the meeting. The Board was advised that there had been consultation with stakeholders had taken place.

There was further discussion as to whether the proposals put forward constituted a substantial variation and there was agreement that there needed to be specific criteria in place before the Committee was presented with any further reports.

There was a general consensus that the proposals constituted a substantial variation to local health services, as specified under Section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. As such the Committee considered whether the proposals should be subject to a twelve week consultation programme.

RESOLVED:

That the proposals should be subject to a full twelve week consultation period. 

Briefing from Councillor Liz Santry, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

The Committee received written answers to questions put to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People prior to the meeting.

The questions and answers supplied are attached in full at Appendix 2.

Question 4

In response to a query the Committee was advised that unqualified teachers were able to teach certain areas of the curriculum without restriction.

Question 1

In response to concerns that a decision had been taken, without consultation, to introduce knife detection equipment into schools, the Committee was advised by the Cabinet Member that the Protocol in relation to this was in draft form. Once finalised it would be circulated to school governing bodies, teachers, parents and the Police. 

The Cabinet Member noted that it was intended that the protocol would be introduced, following sign up from secondary schools, in September as part of the Peace Week activities. In response to a query as to why Members had not been consulted on this issue the Cabinet Member advised it had been considered that this was a decision for schools to make. Although Members would be kept informed of progress in relation to it had not been considered necessary to formally consult with Members on this issue.

Question 2

The Cabinet Member advised that schools had been warned that there would be a limited timescale in place for agreeing the new ICT contracts and the majority had now signed been signed off.

In addition to the questions circulated prior to the meeting, the Chair allowed a limited number of additional questions.

In response to a question as to the number of schools that employed external invigilators to oversee SAT exams, the Committee was advised that external invigilators were not used for Key Stage 2. Each year a selection of schools were selected for external invigilation on a rolling basis, over a ten year period. It was agreed that information in relation to this would be circulated to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that following national press reports that exam papers had been marked incorrectly the marking of exam papers had been reviewed. This had shown that there were instances where marking had not been consistent and at present the Director of Children’s Services was consulting with colleagues across London to determine how widespread the problem was. 

It was agreed that details of the number of teaching staff subject to disciplinary action, or who had resigned as a result of statutory concerns, should be supplied to the Committee.

In response to concerns at the lack of provision of activities for young people living in Tower Gardens during the summer holidays, the Committee was advised that the expansion of the Summer University scheme meant that funding for activities had been distributed differently this year. The Committee was advised that this issue had been noted and work was being carried out to provide youth facilities from smaller centres.

It was agreed that a list of the youth activities taking place over the summer should be circulated to all Members.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

(Report of the Director of the Children & Young People’s Service)  To provide an update on the plans for the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The Committee received a report that provided an summary of Haringey’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, including its aims and objectives.

In terms of the Governance arrangements supporting the BSF Programme, the Committee was advised that the BSF Programme Board met on a fortnightly basis and that this was constituted of senior officers from both the Council and the BSF team. In addition, the BSF Team also worked closely with the Procurement Committee and Schools Transformation Board to ensure that the Programme was progressed through the Council’s decision making processes correctly.

In response to a query the Committee was advised that the new Heartlands High School would be completed in September 2010.

There was a general consensus that the progress of the BSF Programme had not been communicated to Ward Members effectively and that further ways of engaging Ward Members should be considered. It was agreed that this issue should be discussed further with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

In response to a query as to whether the BSF Programme took into consideration the aims of the Council’s Greenest Borough Strategy, it was confirmed that it did. It was agreed that a further report should be brought to the Committee providing more detail in relation to this.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That a report should be received a future meeting setting out how the BSF Programme reflected the aims and objectives of the Greenest Borough Strategy.

(Report of the Director of the Children & Young People’s Service)  To provide an update on progress on the recommendations arising from the Overview & Scrutiny review of extended services in 2007.

The Committee received a report that provided an update on progress in relation to the recommendations arising from the Overview and Scrutiny review of Extended Services in 2007.

The Committee discussed progress against the recommendation that partnership arrangements should be developed between Highgate and Channing Schools. It was noted that two pupils from schools in the west of the Borough had taken part in the Oxbridge Tuition sessions.

There was a general consensus that potential candidates attending schools in the east of the Borough should be encouraged to participate in the Oxbridge Tuition sessions.  There was agreement that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People would raise this issue in her capacity as a Governor of Haringey Sixth Form Centre and underline the support available for young people in the Borough applying for Oxbridge Universities.

RESOLVED:

1. That progress made in relation to each recommendations be noted.

2. That the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People should highlight the support available for young people in the Borough applying for Oxbridge places at the next Governors meeting of Haringey Sixth Form Centre.

(Report of the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service)  To report on demand for pupil places in Haringey’s schools and to update on action to respond to this demand.

The Committee considered a report setting out what action was being taken to meet demand for pupil places in Haringey’s Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.

The report set out the recommendations that would be considered by Cabinet, which included several statutory actions and a detailed work programme for the year ahead. The data collected suggested that by 2011 there would be a shortfall in the number of reception places available in the west of the Borough and therefore it was proposed that Rhodes Avenue Primary School should be expanded to include an additional form of entry.

In response to a query as to how the data reflected the expansion of local areas in terms of planning and the areas already designated for housing under the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), the Committee was advised that, the data was collected via the Planning Department and therefore this was incorporated.

The Committee was advised that the education element of the Section 106 Agreement attached to the Hale Wharf development would not become available until the development had been completed.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations to the Cabinet, set out within the report, be endorsed.

(Report of the Chair of the Review Panel)  To approve the final report of the Review Panel.

RESOLVED:

That, due time constraints, this item be deferred until the next meeting.  

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th June 2008.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

No new items of Urgent Business were received.